Habitat variables (mangrove, marsh, water) of Port Fourchon, LA dervied from satellite imagery taken in fall 2022

This dataset consists of satellite-derived habitat data tables used to quantify fine-scale landscape metrics in an estuarine environment undergoing rapid climate-driven habitat change. The data were generated as part of a study evaluating the effects of mangrove encroachment and marsh loss on species-landscape relationships in coastal Louisiana.

Habitat variables were derived for buffer zones ranging from 150 to 600 meters around 52 field sampling sites and edge zones 1, 3, and 5 meters from the water's edge, providing detailed metrics such as percent land cover, edge area, and proportional mangrove cover. The greater spatial coverage of the satellite imagery allowed for larger habitat scales to be encompassed in the analysis.

Satellite images used in this analysis were all taken during the year 2022, within a few months of our sampling season, in the region surrounding Port Fourchon, LA. This dataset enables testing of species-specific responses to habitat features at ecologically relevant fine scales, particularly for nekton species interacting with marsh edges and immediate surrounding areas.

The primary purpose of this dataset is to inform ecological research focused on habitat suitability, landscape ecology, and the impacts of fine-scale habitat changes on estuarine species distributions. Researchers and resource managers can use these data to improve habitat suitability models, identify critical habitat features, and guide conservation strategies. The data were collected and interpreted by Herbert Leavitt, Dr. James Nelson, and Alex Thomas, with institutional affiliation at the time of collection being the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

本数据集由卫星衍生的生境数据表构成，用于量化正经历气候驱动生境快速变迁的河口环境内的精细尺度景观指标。本数据集为一项研究的产出成果，该研究旨在评估路易斯安那州沿海地区红树林扩张与湿地丧失对物种-景观关系的影响。

研究针对52个野外采样点周边150至600米的缓冲区，以及距水岸1米、3米、5米的边缘带提取生境变量，由此得到详细的景观指标，包括土地覆盖占比、边缘面积以及红树林覆盖占比。卫星影像具备更大的空间覆盖范围，使得分析能够涵盖更广泛的生境尺度。

本分析所用的卫星影像均拍摄于2022年，与野外采样时段相差仅数月，拍摄区域为路易斯安那州富尔尚港（Port Fourchon）周边地带。本数据集可用于检验物种在生态相关的精细尺度下对生境特征的响应，尤其适用于与湿地边缘及紧邻周边区域互动的自游生物（nekton）类群。

本数据集的核心用途是为以下生态学研究提供支撑：聚焦生境适宜性、景观生态学，以及精细尺度生境变化对河口物种分布的影响。研究人员与资源管理者可借助本数据集优化生境适宜性模型、识别关键生境特征，并为保护策略制定提供指引。本数据集由赫伯特·利维特（Herbert Leavitt）、詹姆斯·纳尔逊博士（Dr. James Nelson）以及亚历克斯·托马斯（Alex Thomas）采集并解析，数据采集时所属机构为路易斯安那大学拉斐特分校（University of Louisiana at Lafayette）。